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Dutch Court Sentences Eugene N. to Life Imprisonment for 1994 Rwandan Genocide War Crimes

A Dutch court in The Hague has sentenced Eugene N. to life imprisonment for his role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The 66-year-old man, who became a Dutch citizen after fleeing to the Netherlands in 1998, was convicted of war crimes and genocide for his involvement in the massacre of approximately 3,000 Tutsis who sought refuge in a stadium in Mbazi. Judges ruled that Eugene N. acted with "genocidal intent" and held a position of authority in the community. He was specifically noted for throwing a hand grenade into the crowd and instructing Hutu attackers to ensure no Tutsis escaped. The court emphasized that a life sentence was necessary to provide justice for the victims and their families. While Eugene N. denied the charges, claiming he was a victim who lost many relatives, his defense team argued he tried to prevent the violence. The court acquitted him of the charge of incitement to genocide, but his lawyers plan to appeal the charges.

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